Poll

Government

The Marion County Fiscal Court unanimously approved a resolution concerning the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline Thursday, and magistrates voiced their concerns about the impact it could have on the community and its landowners.

Thanks to slowed spending by cash-strapped state agencies, as well as a small bump in General Fund revenues, state Budget Director Jane Driskell announced Friday that Kentucky state government closed the 2012-13 fiscal year with a General Fund surplus of $70.6 million.
Driskell warned, however, in a state news release that the fiscal year that just began July 1 extends the budget cuts that were in place last year, and that state agencies would continue to be challenged to deliver services with fewer dollars despite rising costs.

FRANKFORT – To streamline and bolster business development in Kentucky, the Cabinet for Economic Development has created the Office of Entrepreneurship within the Cabinet’s Department for Business Development. The office will enhance existing efforts to help businesses at every step of the growth cycle.

Few decisions were made during the July 11 special-called meeting of the Marion County Fiscal Court. However, the magistrates did express their support for a proposal to enter into an agreement with the City of Lebanon to allow residents to dispose of vegetative/non-woody debris.

State Representative Terry Mills used the Friday Forum on July 12 to address the past legislative session and the near future with regards to a special session on redistricting.
But the biggest issue for the present is the status of the state's contract with Marion Adjustment Center.

Lebanon residents may soon have a new option for dealing with yard waste.
City Administrator John Thomas said the fire department gets frequent requests for controlled burns, which can be dangerous, to deal with tree trimmings and grass clippings.
“We think we have a solution. There is no permit required, and there’s room at the transfer station [on Fairgrounds Road] to stage this,” he told the council during its July 8 meeting.

The Lebanon Tourist and Convention Commission has been searching for a new executive director for months. Monday, they found her, and she was in their own office the whole time.
Carla Wagner was approved by a 4-0 vote to become the new director at the commission's July 8 meeting after a 30-minute executive session.
Chairman Brad Lanham was not present at Monday's meeting, and two commission seats expired at the end of June, leaving the commission with four members at the meeting.